The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-06

Eamlet made almost ridiculous by his
gladiatorial appearance and robust manner,
though he esteemed it one Of his greatest char
acters, and usually played it on benefit nights.
Mr. Booth looks the part. Its not alone his
.sinky cloak, nor customary suits of solemn
black" but his face. form and figure, his physical
and intellectual habits, and his rare grace and
tenderness, which seem to fit the part so per
fectly and make him ideal Hamlet. To this
must be added perfect understanding and con-
ception of the character gained by profound
study and the keenest intellectual per-
ception, together with wonderful power
of emotional expression and perfect mastery
of stage business. He is Hamlet take MIN
for all in all, we shall look upon his like
again." In witnessing his rendition or the part
one forgets the actor in the man. and the man II
not Booth but Hamlet. He does not merely
look and act the part. he Is the very character
It is related that unsophisticated person wine
once saw Garrick in Hamlet, set him down with
s'He the best player! Why, could act as well
as he myself sure if had seen ghost,
should have looked in the very same manner
and done Just as be did And then, in that scene
between him and his mother where you told me
he acted so fine. why Lord help me. any
man. that is any good vd man t thai
done exactly the same thing" This tho
highest praise of an actor who aimed Ito hold.
as twere, the mirror up to nature" The SAINT
criticism, unwilling praise, applies to Booth.
His acting seemed very natural and easy. be-
cause he has the art conceal his art OF his
conception of the character compared with
that of other great actors, or with the concep-
tons of critics, 1t is hardly worth while to
speak AS Shakespeare has not revisited the
gimpses Of the moon" TO interpret the character
himself, and explain the points that have given
rise to so much discussion concerning Hamlets
mental condition and the metaphysics
Of the play, there is for difference
of opinion among actors well as critics
to the true IN depreciation. 1t IS enough tnat
Mr.. Booths rendition of the character leaves
the beholder room to doubt that 1t is the true
one. Perhaps the principal charm and attrac-
ton of the play lies in the mystery that sur
rounds Hamlets character-whether he was
insane or merely feigned madness; whether his
love for Ophea deep and enduring. or
mere relaxation and pastime; whether he was
really destitute of WILL and energy, and moral
courage, or was only made by circumstances to
appear So All these are points OF attractive
mystery II Shakespeare had intended to clear
them up he would have done so, and the fact
that he did not leaves them open to discussion.
Mr.. Booths opinion all these controverted
points is entitled to much weight as that of
any actor critic that has lived since Shak
speares time. and his Interpretation of the sub
ject is doubtless exact as will ever be reached.
Not only the character of Hamlet but the
tire play is a fascinating mystery, and of
the principal charms of Mr.. Booths acting is the
transcendent art by which he magnifies tins
mystery and makes it binding spell through
the entire course of the play. In n
performance so consistently perfect there
is little need cite particulars Mr..
Booths close Aahereace to the text and his ad-